Kerala assembly elections: EC’s pro-BJP bias is becoming clearer, says AICC general secretary K C Venugopal

THRISSUR: AICC general secretary K C Venugopal on Wednesday alleged that the acceptance of BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar's contested nomination at Nemom and the presence of BJP's seal on an official communication sent by the chief electoral officer's office to all political parties are clear instances of the poll commission's bias towards BJP.

Addressing the media, Venugopal said UDF will approach EC against the ‘illegal acceptance' of Chandrasekhar's nomination papers. As per the People's Representation Act, a candidate should disclose details of all assets while submitting nomination. But Chandrasekhar failed to do so. It is unfortunate that the state president of a national political party is not complying with the provisions of this Act, he added.

Venugopal also alleged that LDF govt indulged in double corruption by extending the licences of 200-odd liquor bars, which have not been subjected to classification while also extending the working hours of all bars in Kerala. Interestingly, both orders were issued on the same day. Crores of rupees were paid as bribe over this, he alleged.

When asked about the reported statement of former KPCC president K Sudhakaran that Ramesh Chennithala is best suited for the post of the next chief minister if UDF wins assembly elections, Venugopal said Sudhakaran has only expressed a personal opinion.

"Congress does not block anyone from expressing opinions unlike chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan who recently told a member of the audience that he should ask questions at home," said Venugopal.